Thursday, September 18, 2003

As Iraqi children chant "Good, good, mister," over and over again, Fort Bragg paratroopers make their way through a market in northwest Baghdad.

About 25 children follow 10 paratroopers from the 1st Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment, as they patrol. The children chant and shake hands with the soldiers as they walk by. Some even hold the soldiers hands.

"The kids love us," Pfc. Blair Barkley said. "The Iraqis stare at you, but for the most part they are happy we are here."...

The paratroopers patrol the area to make sure there is no trouble in the market and to make themselves available to the Iraqis. The paratroopers said the children are a great source of information, and will often tell them where weapons are hidden.